Two mishaps which were stated to have nothing to do with his death were referred to at an inquest at Hackney on Wednesday on Horace Joseph Hodgkins, a dairy farmer, of “Yeldenea” Newton Road Rushden, who died in the Metropolitan Hospital, London on Sunday. Mrs. Joyce Hodgkins, the widow, said that her husband’s health had been good until last August, when while bathing at Yarmouth, he had an attack of cramp and collapsed in the water. He was not very well for some time after this. In September, a cow knocked him down in a field and he was ill for some time complaining of pains in the right side. Later he was admitted to Brompton Hospital London and afterwards was removed to the Metropolitan Hospital. Dr. Saunders, of the Metropolitan Hospital, said that when Hodgkins came there it was thought from the history of the case that some foreign body might have lodged in the lung while bathing. His condition became worse and he died on Sunday. Dr. O’Donovan, pathologist, said there was no foreign body found in the lungs and that death was due to consumption. In his opinion the seizure in the water and the accident with the cow played no part in his death. In his opinion death was natural. Mr. Bentley Perchase, the Coroner, recorded a verdict of death from natural causes. The funeral took place yesterday (Thursday), the Rector (The Rev. Travers S. Storey) conducting a service at the Parish Church and at the Rushden Cemetery ...............

Local Obituary Funeral of Mr. Horace Joseph Hodgkins of Rushden. A committee member of the Rushden and Higham Ferrers Dairymen’s Association, Mr. Horace Joseph Hodgkins was laid to rest on Thursday week. Mr. Hodgkins resided at “Yeldeania” Newton Road, Rushden, and died in the Metropolitan Hospital, London, on April 14. He was in partnership with his father, Mr. W. Hodgkins, as W. Hodgkins and Son, dairymen. Deceased was a native of Dean and was in the church choir of that village for a number of years. The service was held at St. Mary’s Church and was conducted by the Rev. Travers S. Stoney (Rector). The mourners included Mrs. Hodgkins (widow), Mr. and Mrs. W. Hodgkins (father and mother), Mr. Bradshaw (uncle), Miss E. Hodgkins (sister), Mr. E. Hodgkins (uncle), Mrs. Holloway (mother-in-law), Mr. A. Hodgkins (uncle), Mr. and Mrs. Sargent (uncle and aunt), Mr. and Mrs. J. Dilley (brother-in-law and sister-in-law) Miss F. Shortland (aunt), Mr. W. Whiteman (friend), Mr. W. Holloway (father-in-law) and Mrs. J Abbott (friend). There was a large number of sympathisers at the graveside and Mr. B. Smith was present, representing the Rushden and Higham Ferrers Dairymen’s Association. [There followed a comprehensive list of floral tributes] Messrs. Whittington and Tomlin, Rushden, carried out the funeral arrangements.